Combination front and rear light, number plate, and plate holder



Jan. 23, 1923. I 1,442,863

' W. N. DALY. COMBINATION FRO T AND REAR LIGHT. NUMBER PLATE. AND PLATE HOLDER.

FILED DEc. 13, 1920.

STATE [151215] Patented .lan. 23 i923.

aliases WILLIAM 1\l'. DALY, OF MIDDLETON, MASSACHUSETTS.

COMBINATION FRONT AND REAR LIGHT, NUMBER PLATE, AND PLATE HOLDER.

Application filed December 13, 1920. Serial No. 480,145.

T 0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, lVILLIAM N. DALY, citizen of the United States, residin at lvliddleton, in the county of Essex and gtate of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Uombination Front and Rear Light, Number Plate, and Plate Holder, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a combination front or rear light, number plate and plate holder, box like in shape, for use on automobiles or other vehicles, in which a steniled plate is held in position within a holding box-frame, and the stenciled letters and figures of the plate illuminated by means back of the same.

The objects of my invention are: to provide an illuminated number plate easily discernible by day or night,

To provide an improved number plate holder,

To provide a combination rear light and number plate, or an illuminated front number, and to secure other advantages and re sults some of which are hereinafter referred to.

I accomplish the objects of my invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1, shows a front view of 'my plate holder, with one half of the cover removed therefrom.

Figure 2, shows the stenciled number plate used in my improved holder, and also shows the outline of a red transparent plate which lies beneath and parallel therewith.

Figure 3, shows a sectional view on the line A-A in Figure 1.

Figure 41 shows an end view of my device.

Similar letters refer to similar throughout the several views.

In Figure 1., B, shows the rear of my boxshaped plate holder. 0, shows the sides of the same. The location of the cover D, is shown by the dotted lines. E, shows the hinges which secure the cover D, to the box frame. F, shows the cleats by means of which my device is secured to the vehicle on which it is to be used. G, shows the hold ing nuts by means of which the exteriorly threaded socket H, is secured to my box holder. 1, shows the electric bulb which furnishes the required illumination by night. The center portion of the rear side of my parts box-holder is of glass, X, or other transparent substance, the center, Y, of the cover side of my box holder is also of glass or other transparent substance.

In Figure 2, J, shows the location of the figure shaped stencil openings in the opaque number plate, K. J shows the circular stencil opening which forms the red light. A red transparent plate K, is provided, of the same size as the stenciled plate and is assembled directly beneath the same so as to show red through the stencil openings, J and J.

In Figure 3, the dotted lines D, show the position of the cover portion when opened to receive the stenciled number plate. H, shows the lower portion of the socket which extends below the box holding device. Z, shows the angle brackets which support and hold the plates K and K against the cover D.

In Figure 4, L, shows the holding bolts with which the cover portion, D, of the box holding device is fastened down in use. L shows the nut which secures the holding bolt in position.

In operation illumination is provided at night by means of the electric bulb, I, the rays from which penetrate the red transparent plate K, the stencil openings, J, and J, and the clear section Y of the cover D. By day illumination is not required, but is furnished to some extent by the opening, X, in the rear side of the box holding device and causes the red color of the transparent plate, K, to show clearly through the stencil openings in the number plate K. It will be understood that when my device is used as a front number plate and holder the circular stenciled opening J is not essential and that the transparent plate K will be white rather than red.

It will also be understood that stencil plates of various sizes can be used and that my device is as adaptable for motor cycles .as for other uses.

Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States.

1. A device of the character described comprising a lamp casing having an opening in the back, a cover hinged to the said casing and being likewise provided with an opening, a transparent plate arranged over each opening, means carried by the casing and coacting with the hinged cover to provide plateholding i'neans at the front of the casing, a number-plate between the casing and the cover, said plate being clamped to the casing by the closing of the cover and released for removal by the opening of the cover, and illuminating means within the casing rearwardly of the said plate.

2. A device of the character described comprising a casing having an opening in the back, a cover hinged to the casing and being likewise provided with an opening, a transparent plate arranged over each opening, angle brackets extending inwardly from adjacent the outer or cover edge of the rasing, a transparent plate disposed to lie against the said brackets, a stenciled plate disposed over the outer face of the trans parent plate, said stencil plate and said last mentioned transparent plate being clamped firmly between the said brackets and the said cover by the closing of the latter and being removable upon the opening 0]": the cover, and. lamp means within the casing.

3. A device of the character described comprising a casing having an opening in the back, a hinged cover carried by the easing and being likewise provided with an opening, a transparent plate arranged over each opening, brackets depending from the casing on the inside thereof and in slightly spaced relation to the front edges of the casin a pair of laterally disposed plates 2:77 arranged within the iront edge of the easing and supported by thesaid brackets, the outermost of said plates being stenciled and the innermost plate providing a transparent backing for the stenciled outer plate, said plates being clamped firmly against the said brackets by the pressure of the door when the latter is closed and being removable by the opening of the cover, and means for locking the cover to the casing.

4. A device of the character described comprising a casing having an opening in the back, a cover hinged to the said casing and being likewise provided with an opening, a transparent plate arranged over each opening, brackets depending inwardly of the cover adjacent the :front edge thereof, a stenciled number-plate disposed within the front edge of the casing and supported by the said brackets, said plate being clamped against the said brackets by the pressure of the door when the latter is closed and being removable from the casing upon opening the cover, and means for locking the cover to the casing, said means being adjustable for varying the pressure of the said cover on the said plate.

In testimony whereof I, my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM N. DALY. Witnesses:

DOROTHY F. Brsrror, CHARLES l/V. Lovn'r'r. 

